Nelly didn’t know if Kalsas had any extenuating circumstances, but after adventuring in Verdaya, she had witnessed many tragedies caused by dark forces. Even telling herself this was just game script sentimentality, she still felt compassion for ordinary people oppressed by the Demon King.
Having extenuating circumstances was not a reason to inflict arbitrary violence.
Nelly turned away, responding calmly yet firmly: “I believe in the facts I’ve personally confirmed.”
Kalsas leaned closer, one hand resting on the chair back behind Nelly. He gently pulled Nelly’s hand, pressing it to his heart: “If needed, I can open this heart for you to see.”
Nelly froze. The other’s body temperature and rhythm transmitted through her palm, causing a tingling sensation. Yet his words were strange, seemingly passionate but also carrying a chilling madness.
In an instant, Kalsas returned to normal, sitting properly in his chair, as if he never intended to get a response from Nelly.
Nelly lowered her head, uncertain of the Demon King’s meaning. Kalsas spoke again: “Nelly.”
She instinctively looked up, meeting those ruby-like eyes.
She was too shocked to move.
But Kalsas seemed in no hurry to take further action, staying lip-to-lip for a moment before lowering his eyelids, tentatively exploring her lips.
Just as he pried open her resistance, intending to deepen the kiss, Nelly suddenly awakened, letting out a low whimper and retreating.
Kalsas did not stop her, appearing even calmer than usual: “Sorry.”
“His eyes shifted, softly uttering: “Couldn’t help myself.”
★, Chapter 8: Rose
If possible, Nelly really wanted to slap him.
The agreement to cultivate feelings definitely did not include a unilateral forced kiss! As if she’d believe “couldn’t help myself”! And… technically speaking, this was her first kiss.
My first love’s object is the mainland’s notorious demon king. It sounds cool with a protagonist’s halo, but Nai Li only wants to reload and start over.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, glaring at Kalsas as she stood up and said coolly, “I’m going back to my room.”
The young demon king showed an almost pitiful expression, his lips drooping, staring at Nai Li with blinking red eyes. He spoke in a soft tone: “I was wrong.”
Kalsas, who had always presented himself with quietness and mystery, could switch to a more vulnerable demeanor. Nai Li momentarily felt that there might be a tail wagging under his cloak.
As soon as this thought emerged, she found it too terrible and turned her head away from Kalsas.
“I’ll read you a story,” Kalsas’ tone slightly dropped, full of conciliatory meaning.
Nai Li didn’t turn back, and after a moment of silence, she said, “Forget it. By the way, Kar… what do you usually do?
Kalsas’ face showed a fleeting surprise, as if he hadn’t expected Nai Li would want to know about his daily life. The surprise quickly transformed into restrained joy, his voice still low, but seductive due to barely contained laughter: “Nai Li wants to know?”
Nai Li felt somewhat uncomfortable. She turned back to confirm Kalsas’ expression, lowering her eyes and softly saying, “Didn’t we agree? Whether you like something or not, you naturally need to understand it first before making a conclusion.”
He nodded, looking shy: “I… usually grow flowers.”
The demon king who terrorizes the continent actually likes squatting and growing small flowers…
Nai Li’s shock was probably too obvious, making Kalsas even more embarrassed, with a faint red color emerging on his delicate face.
Kalsas lowered his long eyelashes, his gaze perfectly concealed. He tentatively uttered two words: “Garden, afternoon tea.”
Nai Li didn’t hesitate: “Okay.”
The black-haired youth smiled slightly, the blush on his cheeks not yet faded, with a sudden brightness in his eyes. Nai Li caught a glance and suddenly felt a slight ache in her chest, as if a string had been touched by his sincere feelings, sweet like honey, but then more bitterness followed.
Nai Li felt some guilt.
Her reason for suggesting reading wasn’t just due to her preference. She hadn’t been in Veldya for a short time, but she still knew very little about the demon king’s existence and the continent’s more distant history. The system’s information was ambiguous, and books were rare luxuries. As a system elf assisting the hero, Nai Li had no channel to obtain such intelligence.
Kalsas’ reading of “The Song of Harga” was indeed a great help.
But Nai Li had no intention of delving deeper into the continent’s history – what was more intriguing was Kalsas’ meaningful question: “Do you believe these legends, Nai Li?”
If she could understand Kalsas more and comprehend his purpose… Nai Li’s thoughts stalled. She was momentarily confused: Why did she want to understand him? Hadn’t she already decided not to develop feelings for the demon king? Even if he had some circumstances, it wouldn’t change the fact of his numerous misdeeds.
In that instant, Kalsas had already walked to Nai Li’s front, naturally holding her hand again, silently awakening her from her contemplation.
Nai Li looked down at their intertwined fingers, then raised her head to look at the sparkling eyes beneath his black bangs, feeling the slight doubt in her heart gradually sink. That subtle sense of dissonance was like foam occasionally rising on a smooth water surface, quickly pushed to an invisible edge and no longer dwelled upon.
Understanding this unusual demon king a bit more shouldn’t be too harmful. Moreover, this was also part of fulfilling the contract. Nai Li made up her mind and stopped hesitating.
Kalsas watched her calmly, his deep red eyes beautiful and mysterious. He activated magic, and the library’s radiant light faded, revealing a clear view.
“Milk, lemon?” Karl Sas’s tone was more like a statement than a question.
Naily couldn’t help but find it amusing, shaking her head: “No, thank you.”
Karl Sas then gently pushed the silver dessert plate towards her, his manner cautious, as if still anxious about the previous kiss.
Naily had originally intended to stick to her resolve of “not eating anything from the Demon’s Lair,” but for some reason, she found it surprisingly difficult to refuse.
Naily hesitated, then took a scone.
Karl Sas’s eyes revealed a sense of relief, lowering his gaze with a smile. The flower shadows moved, and delicate sunlight scattered across his face, perfectly outlining his deep, handsome features and the curve of his lips.
Perhaps due to the stark contrast with his previous expressionless impression, his smile was surprisingly lethal.
Despite having been impacted several times before, Naily still blushed at his downward glance.
The other party seemed oblivious, elegantly sipping tea and turning to look at the gently swaying flower branches.
“Did Karl grow these flowers?” Naily cleared her throat, attempting to conceal her embarrassment.
Karl Sas shifted his gaze back, nodding: “Yes.”
Naily felt awkward, offering a dry compliment: “Impressive…”
He stared at her without responding, a hint of a smile flickering in his eyes before quickly returning to calm.
Naily was stunned, unsure how to continue the conversation. That strange sense of incongruity surged again: Why had she become the proactive one?
Before she could ponder further, Karl Sas spoke again: “Roses, peonies – they’re all difficult to grow.” He pursed his lips: “Especially here.”
Indeed, the Demon’s Lair had significant temperature variations and was very windy, making it challenging to cultivate delicate roses.
“Wouldn’t magic make it easier?” Naily immediately felt regretful after speaking.
Karl Sas didn’t seem offended: “No magic.” He looked at her quietly, his words seemingly laden with meaning: “Using magic would be pointless.”
